§ 79. Major HUNTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it was proposed to appoint a Mr. Carmichael as Labour representative on a committee to control food distribution arrangements at Smithfield; whether this gentleman was proposed as a speaker at the prohibited revolutionary demonstration in Fins bury Park lately; what connection has he ever had with the meat trade; whether he was aware that Smith-field men had already passed a vote of no confidence in him; and whether, when a labour representative is appointed on this committee, he will see that he is the direct nominee of the men employed in the market?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Journeymen Butchers' Federation of Great Britain were asked by my Department to appoint a Labour representative on a committee to control food distribution at Smithfield, and they nominated Mr. Duncan Carmichael, who is Secretary of the London Trades Council. I understand that this gentleman was asked to speak at a May Day demonstration in Finsbury Park and that he declined the invitation. Mr. Carmichael has been connected with distributive trades for nearly twenty years. I have no knowledge of the suggestion made in the 962 fourth part of the question. In asking the men concerned to nominate a representative, I stated that he should be a man who would have the confidence of the workers and in other respects be qualified for his duties.